Those were the days -- the CTA in '09

December 29, 2009|By TRACY SWARTZ

Next stop: 2010. But before we arrive in the new year, "Going Public" is counting down the top 9 most talked about CTA moments of 2009 from fare hikes to the new Brown Line. Vote for the top transit story of 2009 at redeyechicago.com/goingpublic.

- Bus-ted: In February, the CTA removed hundreds of articulated buses from its fleet because of safety issues.

- Musical chairs: Mayor Daley announced his appointment of Rich Rodriguez, former aviation commissioner, to the post of CTA president in February. Rodriguez replaced Ron Huberman, who was tapped to lead Chicago Public Schools.

- Cell-o-vision: Cell phone service in the Red and Blue Line subways expanded this year when T-Mobile and Cricket became available underground. Plans to add AT&T service were announced this year but no start date has been revealed.

- On track: In May, the CTA finished rolling out Bus Tracker to include information about all regularly scheduled routes.

- No for the Gold: Hopes of a CTA Gold Line and other proposed CTA improvements related to the 2016 Olympics were dashed in October when Chicago lost its Olympics bid.

- Door problems: Questions about train safety arose in November after a woman reported her stroller got caught in a set of Red Line train doors. She said her baby was thrown on the tracks.

- Doomsdaze: Riders won't see fares increase for two years under a deal reached in November between transit and state officials. Service cuts still are slated for 2010.

- Brown royal: After nearly four years, the Brown Line capacity project, which included station renovations, is slated to be completed by the end of this week.

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Cheap New Year's thrills

In keeping with tradition, the CTA said it is offering penny rides from 8 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 6 a.m. on Jan. 1. Later service hours also will be in effect on many bus and rail routes for the holiday. All CTA bus and rail service will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Dec. 31 and on a Sunday/holiday schedule Jan. 1.

Meanwhile, Miller Lite is continuing its free ride service by offering free double-decker bus rides on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. The buses stop at many North Side restaurants and bars. For more information, go to millerlitefreerides.com or text "RIDE" to 44636.